Headlines - 23.11.2016

• LDK agrees with PDK’s proposals for budget amendments (Koha/Zeri)
• Government publicly calls Serbian List to return to institutions (Kosova Sot)
• Delawie: Transparency and accountability are vital (Zeri)
• UK will not get involved in Dehari case (media)
• Kosovo chief prosecutor’s house robbed (media)
• Two more months of detention for former PDK MP Syla (Zeri)
• Veseli supported a company suspected of illegal acquisition of shares (Koha)

LDK agrees with PDK’s proposals for budget amendments (Koha/Zeri)

The ruling coalition partners have agreed to discuss the 2017 budget at the parliamentary committee for budget and finance, the paper reports on page four. According to PDK officials, LDK has agreed with their requests for certain budget amendments. PDK officials also said that the proposed changes will be made during the amendment of the draft law. PDK MP and member of the budget and finance committee, Safete Hardergjonaj, told the paper on Tuesday: “during the budget amendment phase, we will make all necessary changes that were our concerns. Our requests were part of planning processes in several ministries and we have agreed to discuss all matters and to include them in the budget.” Zeri, however, reports on its front page that disagreements over the 2017 budget could lead to the breakup of the ruling coalition and early parliamentary elections.

Government publicly calls Serbian List to return to institutions (Kosova Sot)

Kosovo Government officials have once again made a public call to the Serbian List to return to Kosovo institutions, the paper reports on page four. According to the government, they did not receive any written notice from the Serbian List regarding their boycott of Kosovo institutions, therefore, the government will not make any written invitations to them to return to their work. Kosovo’s Deputy Minister of Local Government Administration, Bajram Gecaj, said on Tuesday that Prime Minister Isa Mustafa already made a public invitation to the Serbian List representatives to return to Kosovo institutions.

Delawie: Transparency and accountability are vital (Zeri)

The United States Ambassador to Kosovo, Greg Delawie, took to Twitter to welcome the decision of the Ministry of Justice for disciplinary actions against four correctional service staff in connection to the death of Vetevendosje activist Astrit Dehari. “We welcome the Ministry of Justice’s inspection and disciplinary actions regarding the prison suicide. Transparency and accountability are vital,” Delawie wrote.

UK will not get involved in Dehari case (media)

All media report that the British Embassy in Kosovo informed Kosovo’s Justice Minister, Dhurata Hoxha, that the Metropolitan Police Service will not be involved in additional investigation into the death of Vetevendosje activist Astrit Dehari. According to the British Embassy, this is because the Dehari case has no direct connection with Britain. “We understand the sensitivity of the circumstances of the tragic death of Astrit Dehari. Every death in custody deserves careful investigation. Therefore, considering that the case has no direct connection with Britain, it would be inappropriate to include the British police. Kosovo authorities should conduct the investigation thoroughly and impartially, ensuring transparency for the family and the public,” notes a statement sent by the British Embassy.

Kosovo chief prosecutor’s house robbed (media)

The house of Kosovo’s chief prosecutor, Aleksander Lumezi, was robbed on Tuesday morning, even though the house was under Kosovo Police surveillance. According to Lumezi, only his mobile phone was stolen during the robbery. Kosovo Police announced that two police officers were suspended regarding this case. “Kosovo Police is investigating the case. One police officer of the security department and his supervisor were suspended regarding this case,” KP spokesperson Baki Kelani told media.

Two more months of detention for former PDK MP Syla (Zeri)

The former Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) MP, Azem Syla, accused of organized crime, will remain in detention for another two months. Syla is accused of leading a criminal group of 38 persons in the “land scam” case.  “Based on the decision of the EULEX judge from Pristina Basic Court, the detention order for Azem Syla has been extended until January 2018,” said Syla’s lawyer.

Veseli supported a company suspected of illegal acquisition of shares (Koha)

The paper reports on its front page that in early October, Kosovo Assembly President Kadri Veseli signed a memorandum of understanding with the company “Stone Alliance”, a document that envisages investments in 40 quarries and three marble factories. The paper notes that “Fox Marble” owns 59 percent of shares in “Stone Alliance” and some of its key people hold positions and shares in “Stone Alliance”. The owners of the company are Christopher Gilbert and Etrur Rrustemi, “who don’t appear with the same identities in different documents”. Another person, Rexhep Shaqiri, accuses Gilbert, Rrustemi and another two Kosovars of establishing “Fox Marble” through false documents. Shaqiri claims that his signature was forged in two contracts, through which “Fox Marble” illegally took over the shares of his company called “Rex Marble”. The paper reports that Kosovo courts are dealing with the case for several years now. Asked to comment on the matter, Veseli’s office said in a written reply that they don’t prejudge investors without a final decision by the court. The U.S. Embassy in Pristina meanwhile said they knew a trial was ongoing related to “Fox Marble”.